Former Crow photographer gives Royston U3A talk on newspaper career

Photographer Neville Chuck put himself in the picture when he talked about his long career with the Crow to members of Royston’s University of the Third Age on Tuesday last week.

For years Neville was a familiar face on patch, snapping highlights of local life, but always finding time for a chat and cup of tea.

His time at the Crow began after he had been the Cottered village correspondent for 10 years, sending in reports in his spare time.

He told the U3A: “Editor Fred Sillence rang and asked me if I’d thought about becoming a reporter. I joined the Crow in 1968 and didn’t know I was going to be there for 35 years.”

The next editor heard photography was one of his hobbies so the visitors’ toilet at the Crow office in Upper King Street was converted into a makeshift darkroom – launching Neville’s career as a photographer until he retired in 2004.

“What I enjoyed most was meeting people from all walks of life. One minute you’re photographing the road sweeper and the next you’re photographing the Lord Lieutenant of the county. It was such a privilege,” he said.

Neville has just moved to Royston after many years in Cottered where he has been a church organist since 1952.

Royston U3A’s next monthly meeting is at 2pm on Tuesday next week at Royston’s parish church.

For more details go to www.u3asites.org.uk/royston/home